M&S latest to ban cheques

MARKS & SPENCER is the latest high street retailer to ban cheques, forcing customers to pay by cash or card instead.

M&S will not accept personal cheques at its 20 stores from March 1, saying the handwritten payment orders represent fewer than 2% of all transactions today.

Last year, retail giants Argos, Penneys and Boots stopped accepting cheques in Ireland alongside independent retailers like petrol stations who introduced the ban on security as well as cost grounds.